The tentative deal ends the 113-day lockout and will finally allow fans to get back to enjoying hockey (us too.)

But before we do that, a look at the new CBA — which, it should be noted, is 10 years in length with an opt-out clause for each side that kicks in after the eighth year:

Salary Cap

The 2012-13 season will be a transition year — the upper level is set at $60 million with teams allowed to spend up to $70.2 million. In year two, the cap will move to $64.3 million (the NHL met the NHLPA’s request on that figure, as the league wanted it at $60 million.)

Should be noted the salary floor for both 2012-13 and 2013-14 is $44 million.

Contract Length/Variance

Term limit is set at seven years, eight if a player is resigning with his own team. Maximum salary variance is 35 percent and the final year cannot vary more than 50 per cent from the highest year.

Draft Lottery

All 14 non-playoff teams will get a shot a the first overall selection. Under the NHL’s previous format, only the bottom four teams (26th through 30th place) were eligible to receive the No. 1 pick, and teams were only able move up a maximum of four spots and down a maximum of one spot.

The new format is in line with the NBA Draft Lottery, which can lead to some wild results, like in 1993 — that year, the Orlando Magic won the No. 1 pick in the draft despite finishing the 1992 season with a 41-41 record and holding just a 1.52 percent chance of winning the lottery.

Supplemental Discipline

Decisions will still be handled by Brendan Shanahan, but there’s a new wrinkle to the appeal process. Appeals will first go through NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and, for suspensions of six games or more, a neutral third party will get involved.

Miscellaneous

— The start of free agency will remain on July 1. The NHL had hoped to push it to July 10, but capitulated to the players’ desire to keep it at the start of the month.

— Revenue sharing among clubs will increase to $200 million. There’s also a NHLPA-initiated growth fund of $60 million.

— Olympic participation will be dealt with outside of the new agreement, and a joint league-player committee (possibly the NHL-NHLPA International Committee) will likely handle the decision-making.

Monster hockey has got it right! I agree, I won’t spend a penny to watch anything but what’s free on tv. If I happen to get free tickets to a game, I’ll go, but I won’t buy one beer, hot dog or any trinket. I feel sorry for the staff etc. but I will never again line the owners pockets with any of my hard earned income. As well, I will intentionally avoid buying anything the tv sponsors try to sell. Eventually, maybe someone would take notice that this game has priced itself too expensive for the average family. I guess I’m living in a dream world if that could ever happen. The other major league sports are no different.

Fans, do you appreciate feeling like the useless pieces of crap the NHL has made you out to be?

remember the FANS DON’T MATTER TO THE NHL.

WATCH IT ON TV FOR FREE!

AT THE LEAST… BOYCOTT AS MANY GAMES AS POSSIBLE!

YOU FANS ARE WHAT WILL STOP THE NHL FROM DOING THIS AGAIN…. DON’T FORGET THIS!!!

nate4077 - Jan 9, 2013 at 7:52 AM

So what happens then to the arena workers when the gates don’t warrant the staff. They have been hurt enough through this process.

Not everyone who works for the leagues are owners there are hundreds if not thousands employed by the teams and organisation who need the sport back as much as anyone.

Boycotting does not help anyone or impact those you are aiming for. A well thought out petition or letter signed by as many people as you can may get the right people to notice but doubtfull if you can make an impact. It’s the sad reality of the world we live in. Only people with real leverage outside the organisations are the sponsors.

It’s time to stop whining and get on with it. I am as annoyed as the next guy but may as well put it in the rear view mirror and enjoy some hockey.

Fans… tired of being locked out and feeling like the useless pieces of crap the league has made you out to be?

TIME TO STAND UP AND SPEAK OUT!

HOW… you might ask?

BOYCOTTS. THEY ARE NESSESARY RIGHT NOW….more than ever…. OR ELSE THE LEAGUE WILL N-E-V-E-R STOP THESE LOCKOUTS!!!

We the FANS… aka the ONLY people who keep the NHL operating and pay the players salaries… we NEED TO MAKE A STATEMENT.

Watch games on Television, watch them at sports bars, get together with some friends, have a viewing party, etc. Remember in JUST a few months we will be preparing for a new season anyways. THIS is the time to send a statement to the league we will NO longer tolerate this type of treatment as fans!

History has shown the owners not only know the FANS will fill the seats, they EXPECT it.